The city is now revving up its promotional efforts to get play on the course for the summer.

Money for the project, which includes installing new turf, tees, greens, drainage and landscaping, comes from a $100 million bond voters approved in March 2005.

The city owns the course and pays Professional Course Management to operate it. LaPonzina, president of PCM, said the delays affected the "sprigging" process, which involves dropping in plugs of new turf, then letting it grow in. If the sprigging started now, it might not be completed until October, he said.

"You need 10, 12 weeks of warm, humid, rainy weather to maximize growth," LaPonzina said. "We faced the risk of not having that for the final portions of sprigging, and we just can't afford to take that gamble."

The clubhouse, which was renovated in early 2001, will remain open while the course is closed.

The course turned down about eight tournaments in May, and fewer golfers showed up because word was out the course would be only nine holes, LaPonzina said.

Nick Sortal can be reached at nsortal@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7906.

PEMBROKE LAKES GOLF COURSE

The course, at 10500 Taft St., Pembroke Pines, is conducting a campaign to attract more golfers, publishing coupons in newspapers and distributing them at golf shops.

An 18-hole round and a cart cost $25 on weekdays, $22 after 3 p.m. Cost is $40 on weekends before 11:30 a.m., $32 after 11:30 a.m.

Regular weekday rates are $32 from 7 to 11 a.m.; $28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $25 from 2 to 5 p.m.; and $20 after 5 p.m. Weekend rates are $45 from 7 to 11 a.m.; $38 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and $25 after 2 p.m.